Great opportunities at the i for young journalists

I am delighted to see that the i newspaper is running its apprenticeship scheme again. It really is a fantastic opportunity for school and college leavers who want to be journalists. I helped with the scheme in 2021 which was a great success. One of the apprentices from that scheme, Kia Elise-Green, is now a senior feature writer. She says: 'This scheme gave me a way into a career I dreamed of without the financial barrier of university. During two years as an apprentice, I worked on articles close to my heart, got experience on multiple desks in the newsroom and had support in every aspect of my training. I’m so grateful for the newsroom and my tutors for the job I get to do. I don’t think I would be where I am in my career if this scheme didn’t exist.’
You don’t need a degree or journalism experience, just A-levels and/or a BTEC Level 3. So if you fancy a career in journalism and the chance to earn while you learn, get your application in before December 20. The details are here.

Take a look at this video that will tell you all about why you should apply. Good luck. 

Have a crack at the newsquiz!

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was the Rev Leon with 23, ahead of Robert Rea on 21, Janet Boyle on 20 and George Mann on 18. The top team was the Barnard Castle FOC (with guests from Canada Pauline and Mike) with 22, ahead of Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 20.5, Maura and Phil Parsons on 19 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward and George Fleet and the Wingfields both on 16. Here is this week's newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about this week's news. Give it a go and let me know your score.

A selection of yesterday's front pages

1. Keir Starmer became the first UK Prime Minister, since Winston Churchill in 1944, to do what?
2. Labour peer Baroness Hodge told Health Secretary Wes Streeting ‘to hold fire a little bit’ when talking about his position on what?
3. At Prime Minister's Questions who did Keir Starmer say he was pleased to see making a 'rare appearance', adding: 'I was half expecting to see him on the immigration statistics'?
4. Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey, in his Mansion House speech, said that what had led to weaker trade and 'weighed' on the economy?
5. Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the COP29 climate conference, being held in which country, that he was committed to an 81 per cent emissions cut by 2035?
6. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned after a report found the Church of England covered up abuse by a barrister. What was his name?
7. The Post Office announced plans to close how many branches with about 2,000 jobs at risk?
8. Owners of what shops in England, Wales and Northern Ireland voted in favour of cutting opening hours and stopping home deliveries in a protest over Government funding?
9. President-elect Donald Trump announced that Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy would lead the newly created DOGE. What does it stand for?
10. Tattooed Fox News host Pete Hegseth was selected for which role by Donald Trump?
11. Which UK newspaper announced it would no longer post on X (formerly Twitter), saying the benefits were now outweighed by the negatives?
12. Actor Timothy West, who died aged 90, appeared with his wife of 61 years, Prunella Scales, in what Channel 4 series from 2014 to 2021?
13. Premier League referee David Coote was suspended after a video emerged of him using foul language to describe who?
14. CDS Superstores, the owner of bargain store The Range, agreed to buy up 70 stores owned by which troubled retail chain?
15. Consumer rights group Which? announced it was suing which company for £3billion saying it breached UK competition law by 'trapping' customers into using its storage system?
16. Whose children’s book, Billy and the Epic Escape, was withdrawn from sale after being condemned for stereotyping Australia’s First Nations people?
17. Toy manufacturer Mattel said it 'deeply regretted' a misprint on packaging for dolls, inspired by the Wicked movie, which listed the address for what?
18. A report commissioned by the Welsh government suggested that what should be introduced in parts of the country to combat racism?
19. Who revealed on Instagram that she was undergoing a brain operation for a benign tumour?
20. The Director of BBC Sport said that Gary Lineker was 'stepping down' from Match Of The Day after how many ‘seasons’?
21. Edinburgh Zoo said that stress caused by fireworks on bonfire night was to blame for the death of three month-old Roxie, who was what kind of animal?

22. An 'ultimate mix' of Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas, released to mark the song’s 40th anniversary, features a range of singers including two who are dead? Half a point for each name.
23. Paddy McGuinness raised more than £7million for BBC Children In Need by cycling to Glasgow from which town?
24. California police said footage of what animal tearing apart a Rolls Royce was actually an insurance fraud attempt using a 'person in a costume'?
25. A former boxer and a journalist and TV presenter are the oldest two contestants in this year’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. Half a point for each name.

Answers here

Test your news knowledge with this week's quiz

Global perspective on Trump's victory

The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were Janet Boyle and George Mann with 22, just ahead of Kirsty Lewis and Robert Rea on 19. The top team was George Fleet and the Wingfields with 22, ahead of Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 21, Tony and Christine Smith on 20, Maura and Phil Parsons on 19.5 and Our Peter, Jackie, Sarah and Joe on 17. Here is this week's newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. It was a big one with the US elections and the Tory leadership vote so hopefully you have been all over the news and big scores are imminent. Give it a go and let me know your score. 

Some more election front pages

1. Which one of these did Donald Trump not achieve when he became America’s 47th president? a) oldest person ever elected to the office  b) first convicted criminal to win the White House c) the first president to be re-elected after a four-year gap d) only President to have faced impeachment proceedings twice.

2. President-elect Donald Trump, in an interview with NBC, dismissed concerns about the cost of his plan to do what, saying: ‘It's not a question of a price tag. It's not - really, we have no choice’? 
3. Who was Donald Trump referring to in his victory speech when he said: 'He's an amazing guy. He's a character, he's a special guy, he's a super genius’?
4. Which of these did not appear at one of Kamala Harris’s Vote for Freedom rallies in the run up to the election? a) Ricky Martin b) Lady Gaga c) Christina Aguilera  d) Kid Rock.

5. Which newsreader apologised after she was ticked off by her co-anchor for using the word batshit during the live coverage of the US election? 
6. In an interview in 2017, uncovered by the Daily Beast, who said: 'I was Donald’s closest friend for ten years’?
7. How did Democrat Sarah McBride make history when elected as Delaware's member of Congress?
8. Kemi Badenoch defeated Robert Jenrick to become Conservative Party leader after winning what percentage of the 95,000 votes?
9. What role did Robert Jenrick accept in Kemi Badenoch's shadow cabinet?
10. Who did new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch appoint as shadow chancellor?
11. Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to use counter-terrorism tactics to stop people-smuggling gangs as he announced an extra how much in funds to police the UK's borders?

12. What is to rise to £9,535 a year after being frozen since 2017?

13. Which businessman and farm owner described last week’s Budget as ’spiteful’, saying: 'No business can survive Reeves’s 20 per cent tax grab. It will be the death of entrepreneurship’?
14. The Bank of England cut interest rates to what per cent to 'ease the pressure on households and businesses from high borrowing costs’?
15. Israel sent rescue planes to which city after Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans were 'ambushed and attacked’, leaving ten in hospital?

16. Which car manufacturer announced it will cut 9,000 jobs from its global workforce as part of 'urgent measures' to stem losses?
17. What was the name of Conservative grandee, who died aged 92, who was best-known as Margaret Thatcher's defence secretary during the Falklands war?
18. Former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to what charge?
19. GP Thomas Kwan was sentenced to how many years in prison at Newcastle Crown Court after being found guilty of trying to murder his mother's partner with a fake Covid vaccine?
20. Comedian Janey Godley, who died aged 63, went viral during the Covid-19 pandemic when she offered a sweary version of daily briefings by who? 
21. Who was pelted with mud on a visit to the Spanish town of Paiporta?
22. Musician and producer Quincy Jones, who died aged 91, gathered 46 singers, including Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner and Cyndi Lauper to record what song for Ethiopia’s famine victims in 1985 that became a Number 1 in the US and UK?
23. Ruben Amorim is to join Manchester United as manager from which European club?
24. Cans containing what went on sale at the Italian beauty spot of Como for €10?
25. The Prince of Wales was in Cape Town to celebrated this year's winners of his environmental awards that are called what?

Answers here

Time to tackle the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Oliver Jervis with 21, just ahead of Janet Boyle on 20, the Rev Leon on 18 and Amelia Perry and David Banks both on 17. The top team was King’s Head drinkers Peter, Stacey, Nicky and Les with 20, just ahead of Maura and Phil Parsons on 19, Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 16.5, Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 16 and the Broad Oak Boozers on 15. Here is this week's newsquiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and let me know your score.

The Budget front pages

1. In the Budget Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the lower rate of what tax would be raised from 10 per cent to 18 per cent and the higher rate from 20 per cent to 24 per cent?
2. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced an extra £22.6bn for the day-to-day spending and a £3.1bn increase for the capital budget for this year and next for what institution?
3. The minimum wage for over 21s, known as the National Living Wage, will rise from £11.44 to how much from April 2025?
4. Announcing a rise in tax on flights, Chancellor Rachel Reeves poked fun at leader of the opposition Rishi Sunak saying: 'That is equivalent to £450 per passenger for a private jet to, say ...’ Where did she mention?
5. Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt, announcing he was standing down from the shadow cabinet, said: ‘Hopefully I'll be a slightly better __. That's top of the list.’ What is the missing word?
6. Which politician said she would tone down her approach – after some colleagues suggested she could be rude?
7. CCTV footage appeared to show Labour MP Mike Amesbury punching a constituent after a row over winter fuel payments and the closure of what?
8. Far-right activist Tommy Robinson was jailed for how many months for contempt of court for repeating false allegations against a Syrian refugee?
9. Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond was laid to rest following a private funeral near his Aberdeenshire home in which village?
10. According to the Office for National Statistics the number of what in England and Wales is at its lowest since 1977? 
11. At least 155 people were killed when flash floods struck which Spanish province?

12. The US Republicans were criticised after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe told a Madison Square Garden rally: 'There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called __ __.’ What is the missing country?
13. Which former Republican governor announced he was backing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, saying 'I will always be an American before I am a Republican’?
14. US President Joe Biden called on which country's government to respond to international concern at the scale of violations in its election last weekend?
15. A man died and at least 30 more were injured after a truck drove into what near an Israeli military base north of Tel Aviv?
16. GB News was fined £100,000 by Ofcom for breaking impartiality rules over a programme which gave who a 'mostly uncontested platform’?
17. Safety zones outside all of what places in England and Wales came into force yesterday (Thursday)?
18. According to police figures supplied to the NSPCC, which app is the most widely-used platform for online grooming?
19. Southport stabbings suspect Axel Rudakubana appeared by video link at Westminster magistrates' court to face extra charges after what two items were allegedly found in a search of his home? Half a point for each.
20. Police arrested a 63-year-old man after 22 tons of what, worth £300,000, was stolen from a London yard?
21. What is the name of the dancer who was taken to hospital after collapsing backstage during Saturday night's Strictly Come Dancing?
22. Who posted on social media that masked raiders had burgled his home, while his wife and two children were there, and taken irreplaceable items?
23. Manchester United sacked manager Erik ten Hag after a 2-1 defeat by which team left them 14th in the Premier League.
24. Which European football club boycotted the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris, saying their representatives would not go where they were 'not respected?
25. What old word, with the new meaning of 'someone with a confident, independent and hedonistic attitude’, was named Collins Dictionary word of the year?

Answers here

Oliver wins the newsquiz champagne

Trainee subs Karla Hallett, Myriam Page, Emily Bell, Oliver Jervis (with the champagne), Zoe Glascow, Amelia Perry, Ed Pracy and Tom Burton

I said farewell to eight Daily Mail trainees sub-editors today after four busy and intense weeks. They spent most of this week developing their InDesign and Photoshop skills and laying out Mail pages with designer Mike Brough. Last night we had drinks with senior staff at the Greyhound. We finished the week as usual with the newsquiz, 25 questions about the week. This week’s winner was Oliver Jervis with 21 ahead of Amelia Perry on 17. Oliver was the top scorer over the four weeks and won a bottle of champagne. The trainees now head off to placements at the Mail in Glasgow, Metro, the i newspaper, the Press Association and the Mail subs room. They are a bright and likeable bunch who will undoubtedly do well. I wish them all the best of luck. The top solo scorers in last week’s newsquiz were Oliver and the Rev Leon with 21, just ahead of Janet Boyle and Robert Rea on 20, Marion Fountayne and Tom Burton on 19, George Mann on 17 and Amelia on 16. The top teams were Maura and Phil Parson and Queens Head drinkers Stacey, Nicky and Les with 19, just ahead of the Wilsons on Wanstead on 18 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 17.5. Here is this week's quiz, as usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and see if you can beat Oliver's score.

The trainees with their pages and training manager Sue Ryan (second left) and trainer Mike Brough (far right)

1. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, when asked for a definition of a working person, said someone who 'goes out and earns their living’ and can’t '__ __ __ to get out of difficulties'. What are the three missing words?
2. The Government said that from June next year it will be illegal to sell what in England and Wales?
3. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles joined the leaders of 55 other countries for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in which country?
4. Health Secretary Wes Streeting was reported to be considering handing out millions of what in a ten-year plan to save the NHS?
5. What crime surged by a third over the last year with 469,788 offences recorded up to June, according to Home Office figures?
6. Donald Trump accused who of ‘blatant foreign interference’ saying it had sent members to campaign for Kamala Harris, in an alleged breach of US electoral law?
7. Why was Lidia Thorpe in the headlines?
8. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, revealed one of his ancestors 'owned' enslaved people in which country?
9. A police marksman was cleared of the murder of Chris Kaba who was a core member of a notorious south London gang which has what number in its name?
10. Mike Jefferies, the former CEO of which fashion company, was charged in New York with running a prostitution and international sex trafficking business?
11. Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy announced he had terminal prostate cancer and had been given how many years to live?
12. The US said it had seen evidence that there were thousands of troops from which country in Russia to support the war on Ukraine?
13. In an attempt to appeal to working class voters and undermine rival Kamala Harris, Donald Trump put on an apron for a shift for which company in Pennsylvania last weekend?
14. Three people died and four were injured following a carbon monoxide leak at a care home in which town?
15. How was 66-year-old Tudor Evans from Aberystwyth killed?
16. Which UK airport was evacuated with flights grounded on Wednesday following a reported bomb threat?
17. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence ruled that a new drug, Donanemab, which slows the pace of what disease was too expensive for too little benefit to be used by the NHS?
18. Grandfather Peter Lynch, 61, who had been convicted of violent disorder after taking part in rioting, died in which prison?
19. What was the name of the storm that battered the Scottish Highlands on Sunday night?
20. What is the name of former One Direction singer Liam Payne's girlfriend who revealed he gave her a note before he died giving plans for them to marry?

21. Former One Direction singer Liam Payne was reported to have taken a mixture of drugs known as what colour cocaine before his death?
22. Geoff Capes, who died aged 75, competed for Great Britain in the shot put at three Olympic Games, won two Commonwealth titles and won what world title in 1983 and 1985?
23. Actor Ron Ely, who died aged 86, was best known for playing which character in a 1960s’ TV series?
24. Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne donated £30,000 to which Pride of Britain winner to help her raise £1million for her children’s cancer charity?
25. Singer Britney Spears announced she had married for the fourth time. Who did she marry this time?

Answers here

Oliver wins this week's newsquiz with 21

The Daily Mail trainee subs had another busy week in Kensington. They spent Monday doing long-form editing with Fiona Webster, assistant night editor Lottie Young set them a subbing exercise and they enjoyed cookies and great advice from executive chief-sub Rich Hall. They wrote personality profiles and headlines, copytasted for the next day’s paper, covered a breaking story in real time and came up with ideas for new publications and features. This afternoon showbiz editor Katie Hind took a break from covering Liam Payne to talk about her role. Amelia Perry won a scratchcard for the most accurate copytasting decisions. As usual, we finished with the newsquiz, 25 questions about the week. This week’s winner was Oliver Jervis with a score of 21, ahead of Tom Burton on 19 and Amelia on 16. The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with 20, just ahead of Amelia and the Rev Leon on 19, Oliver on 18.5 and Zoe Glascow on 16.5. The top team was Adam Batstone and the Spanish golfing gang with 20, ahead of Broad Oak boozers Thom, Craig George and Tim on 18.5, Red Lion drinkers Peter and Stacey on 17 and Maura and Phil Parsons on 16. Here’s this week quiz. Why not give it a go and see if you can beat Oliver’s score.

Today's front pages

1. What was the name of the Buenos Aires hotel where former One Direction member Liam Payne died?
2. What was the name of the record label that had dropped Liam Payne just days before his death?
3. A football team posted: 'We're shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of __ fan and musician, Liam Payne. Our thoughts are with Liam's family, friends and loved ones at this tragic time.’ What is the missing word?
4. What was the name of the Hamas leader, believed to be the architect of the October 7 attacks, who was killed during an Israeli raid on Gaza?
5. Alex Salmond, the leader of Scottish political party Alba, died on Saturday in which country?
6. How old was Alex Salmond when he died?
7. Prime Minister Keir Starmer came under fire when it was revealed he had received free tickets to a Taylor Swift concert at what venue?
8. Former Cabinet minister Michael Gove said that, although Robert Jenrick had strengths as a leadership candidate, one problem was that he looked like a __ __’. What are the missing two words?
9. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said that widening what were a significant burden on the health service, costing £11billion a year - even more than smoking?
10. How many of the leaders of Australia’s six states accepted their invitation to meet King Charles at a reception in Canberra hosted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese?
11. What did the Archbishop of Canterbury describe as ‘dangerous' and that it could lead to a 'slippery slope’?
12. An inquiry into the death of 44-year-old Dawn Sturgess heard that a vial she opened contained enough of which nerve agent to kill thousands of people?
13. A seven-year-old boy and a man in his 30s were killed when a gas explosion wrecked three houses in which UK city?
14. Five people, including two boys, were killed when a car travelled the wrong way down which motorway?
15. An investigation revealed that water company United Utilities repeatedly dumped millions of litres of raw sewage illegally into which English lake over three years?
16. A County Durham inquest heard that a 39-year-old woman was killed in her home by what?
17. Lucy Connolly was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court for how many months for encouraging people, via her X account, to set fire to hotels housing asylum seekers after the Southport stabbings?
18. Urfan Sharif, 42, appeared at the Old Bailey accused of his ten-year-old daughter’s murder at the family home in which English town?
19. England’s new manager Thomas Tuchel apologised for being in possession of what?
20. Thomas Tuchel was appointed manager of the England men’s football team but which of these has he not managed a) Chelsea b) Borussia Dortmund c) Paris St Germain d) Eintracht Frankfurt?

21. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reported to have bought a holiday home in which European country?
22. What two-word phrase, trademarked by Rebekah Vardy, are ITV said to be considering buying a licence to use in the next series of I’m a Celebrity?
23. Who called the decision to relieve Alex Ferguson of his global ambassador role at Manchester United as ‘scandalous' adding on Instagram: 'Sir Alex Ferguson should be able to do anything he wants at the club until the day he dies. Such a lack of respect’?
24. What is the name of the Strictly Come Dancing contestant who found himself defending an awkward exchange when his dancing partner moved his hand away from her waist and snubbed a high-five?
25. What did paraglider Alex Lang spot on the top of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt?

Answers here

Amelia wins the newsquiz with 19

The Daily Mail trainee subs have just finished their second week in Kensington. They edited a breaking story, took copy from PA and turned it into Mail style, wrote headlines, captions and read proofs. The best picture headline of the week went to Myriam Page who won a scratch card. They pitched stories to chief reporter Sam Greenhill and had sessions with night editor Andy Gregory and senior sub Tina Moran. Editor Emeritus Peter Wright gave guidance on the editor’s code and they spent an afternoon with the Mail’s lawyers. Today they did a Q&A with a panel of former trainees, Rachel Petticrew, Josh Thory-Rao, Erin Waks and Kristina Wemyss who told them what to expect in the first year. As usual we finished the week with the newsquiz, 25 questions about the week. The winner was Amelia Perry with 19 points, just ahead of Oliver Jervis on 18.5. The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was George Mann with 23, ahead of Janet Boyle on 22, Oliver Jervis on 21, Emily Bell and Marion Fountayne on 20, Amelia Perry and Robert Rea on 18 and the Rev Leon on 16. The top teams were Maura and Phil Parsons and Tony and Christine Smith with 21, ahead of Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 19, Our Peter, Jackie, Bill, Trev and Carole on 18 and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on 17. Here is this week’s newsquiz. Give it a go and see if you can beat Amelia's score.

1. Tom Tugendhat was knocked out of the Conservative leadership race on Tuesday having received how many votes?
2. What is the name of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s new chief of staff, replacing Sue Gray?
3. According to the Home Office, how many migrants crossed the Channel in 17 boats on Saturday - the highest daily total this year?
4. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner launched what Bill at a Co-op Logistics Depot in Durham this week?
5. Ken McCallum, the director general of MI5, said that Russia and Iran were trying to cause ’sustained __’ on British soil. What is the missing word?
6. What was the name of the hurricane that hit Florida this week?
7. William Tokajer, a police chief in Florida, told people who planned to stay to write their names, dates of birth and social security numbers where?
8. A hurricane hit Florida but where else did people find a forecast of winds of around 15,000mph and temperatures of up to 404C?
9. Convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner, suspected of kidnapping Madeleine McCann, was cleared of all charges at a rape trial in which country?
10. A survey of road users by Transport Focus rated which motorway as the worst in England, citing issues including speed limits, roadworks and potholes?
11. Who joined Donald Trump on stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and told the crowd that the ex-president 'must win to preserve democracy in America’?
12. Why were 37-year-old Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak, 31, in the headlines?
13. Why did thousands of people gather in Hyde Park in London, Central Park in New York and at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Monday?
14. Lindsay MacCallum, 61, was jailed for three years by Falkirk Sheriff Court for stealing nearly £86,000 from what?
15. How did former Premier League footballer George Baldock, 31, die?
16. Rebekah Vardy suffered another defeat when a High Court judge ruled a legal bill of how much, claimed against her by Coleen Rooney, was legitimate?
17. What body part, believed to belong to British climber Andrew Comyn 'Sandy Irvine, who went missing 100 years ago, has been found on Mount Everest?
18. The Princess of Wales’s first public engagement following her chemotherapy was a visit to which town?
19. According to a source within former TV presenter Phillip Schofield's inner circle, his ex-colleague Holly Willoughby is now referred to as the what?
20. What will not be used at next year’s Wimbledon for the first time in 147 years?
21. Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was appointed global head of soccer for who?
22. Joe Root became England's highest Test run-scorer of all time with a score of 262 against Pakistan - overtaking whose record?
23. Frank Sinatra’s My Way, the Beatles’ Hey Jude, Over The Rainbow by Judy Garland and Whitney Houston’s version of I Will Always Love You were included in a playlist of songs chosen by who?
24. Sammi Mai, 42, claimed she was taken to hospital after what fell on her head while she was shopping in Waitrose in Bath?
25. Which brand announced plans to replace its tins and plastic containers with paper this Christmas?

Answers here

Trainee Oliver wins the newsquiz with 21

I have just finished a busy and enjoyable first week with eight Daily Mail trainee sub-editors. They studied Mail style, edited stories and wrote intros and headlines. The best headline of the week award went to Zoe Glascow and the best intro to Oliver Jervis. Both won scratch cards. The trainees had sessions with managing editor Alex Bannister, chief reporter Sam Greenhill, production editor Chris Dean and they edited articles for deputy chief-sub Tom Belcher who gave them detailed feedback. We finished as usual with the newsquiz, 25 questions about the week. The winner was Oliver with 21 points, narrowly ahead of Emily Bell on 20 and Amelia Perry on 18. The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was Janet Boyle with 22, just ahead of George Mann on 21, Robert Rea on 18 and the Rev Leon on 15. The top team was Maura and Phil Parsons with 21, ahead of Adam Batstone and the Mountain Men with 20, The Broad Oak drinkers with 16 and Our Peter and Jackie and Peter, Stacey and Les with 15. Here is this week's newsquiz. Give it a go and see if you can beat Oliver's score.

Today's front pages

1. In which city did the Conservative Party conference take place?

2. Tory leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch took to social media to say: 'Contrary to what some have said, I clearly said the burden of regulation on businesses had gone too far… of course I believe in __ pay!’ What is the missing word?

3. Who told the Conservative conference that victory would come again when they were 'enthusiastic, relatable, positive, optimistic’ and called on the party to be more normal?

4. Tory leadership candidate Robert Jenrick, in an interview at the party conference, said he had given his 11-year-old daughter what as a middle name?

5. What is the name of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s memoir, serialised by the Daily Mail, that is due to be published next week?

6. Boris Johnson, in his forthcoming memoir, says he considered an 'aquatic raid' on a warehouse in which country to seize Covid vaccines during the pandemic?

7. Why did the BBC cancel Laura Kuenssberg's interview with Boris Johnson scheduled for last night (Thurs)?

8. Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid back more than £6,000 worth of gifts and free hospitality but which one of these did he not repay: a) Taylor Swift concert tickets b) Arsenal FC tickets c) Doncaster races tickets d) a rental deal with clothing rental company Edeline Lee?

9. Who resigned from the Labour Party, saying Keir Starmer’s team cared 'more about greed and power than making a difference’?

10. US President Joe Biden said he would not support Israeli retaliatory strikes on Iranian what?

11. Iron Dome and David’s Sling were in the headlines this week. What are they?

12. The UK announced it was giving sovereignty of a remote cluster of islands in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius? What are the islands names?
13. Britain became the first G7 country to end its reliance on what?

14. More than 60,000 women are off work with long-term sickness related to what, according to a report by the NHS Confederation?

15. An employment tribunal in London, that ordered a whisky investment company to pay £50,000 to a female staff member, ruled that using what word to describe women at work could be sexual harassment and was a derogatory term?
16. Former US first-lady Melania Trump appeared to be at odds with her husband Donald with a declaration in her memoir that she is a passionate supporter of what?
17. Divers are searching which Yorkshire river after a mother, Victoria Taylor, went missing and her belongings were found discarded by the riverbank?

18. What is the name of the cruise ship that left Belfast Lough after being stranded in the city for four months?
19. Who found himself at the centre of a gun scare - that turned out to be a mechanical fault - when the window of his taxi was shattered in London on Tuesday morning? 

20. Gangster Jamie Stevenson was jailed for 20 years by Glasgow High Court for a plot to smuggle cocaine worth £100m from South America which was concealed in boxes of what?

21. Singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson, who died aged 88, won the 1976 Golden Globe Award for best actor after his performance in which romantic drama playing opposite Barbra Streisand?

22. What were Prince William and singer Ozzy Osbourne publicly celebrating his week?

23. What did Old Marylebone Town Hall in London do to celebrate its 100th anniversary on Tuesday?

24. Singer James Blunt promised to do what if the re-release of his debut album Back to Bedlam hits number one in the charts?

25. Former cricketer Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff is to return to TV as presenter of a reboot of which quiz programme?

Answers here

Adam wins the newsquiz champagne

Trainees from left: James Carey, Ruth Stainer, Sophia Stanford, Marti Stelling, Ciaran Foreman, Gethin Hicks, Adam Pogrund (with the champagne), Jordana Seal, Ayaat Yassin-Kassab, Jada Bas and Sophie Carlin

I said goodbye to 11 young journalists at the Mail this week. They had sessions with deputy head of video Olivia Bateman, head of audience strategy Nick Moar, head of social video Phil Harvey, history editor Harry Howard and senior journalists Ollie Gillman and Mark Duell. Digital editor Ailsa Leslie went through the why and how of subscriptions. The trainees covered a breaking news story, created banners, wrote personality profiles and prepared newslists for their placements. James Carey won a scratchcard for the best headline of the week. Marti Stelling became the second trainee to be published on the course with a travel piece on Oktoberfest. Read it here. 

Adam Pogrund became the third trainee to be published with a remarkable story about a woman who slept with 100 students and thee grandads during Nottingham freshers weeks. Read it here.

There are plenty more stories in the pipeline. On Wednesday the trainees had drinks with senior staff in the Greyhound and last night the took part in the office mini-golf. We finished the course, as always, with the newsquiz. The top scorer this week was Adam with 14.5, just ahead of Sophia Stanford on 14. Adam was the top scorer over the three-week course and collected a bottle of champagne. The trainees now head off to their placements at the Mail in Dublin and Glasgow, Metro, the Yorkshire Post, The Sheffield Star and the Press Association. They are a bright and likeable bunch who will undoubtedly do well. I wish them all the best of luck.  

The top solo scorer in last week’s online newsquiz was George Mann with 22, ahead of Robert Rea on 19.5, Janet Boyle and Chris Matthews on 19, the Rev Leon on 16 and Jordana Seal on 15. The top team were Maura and Phil Parsons with Mike and Jane Barringer who scored 21, just ahead of the Red Lion drinkers Nicky, Les and George Fleet and Broad Oak drinkers Tim and Thom who both scored 20. Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe on scored 19.5, Our Peter, Jackie, Trevor and Carole 19 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward 18, Here is this week’s newsquiz.  Give it a go and see if you can beat Adam's score.

1. The Labour leadership lost a vote at the party’s conference after a motion, co-sponsored by Unite and the Communications Workers Union, called on ministers to do what?
2. In his Labour conference speech Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for the return of the sausages. What did he mean to say?
3. Keir Starmer finished his first conference speech as Prime Minister saying: 'We will stabilise our economy. Clear out the Tory __. Fix the foundations. And deliver the mandate of change.’ What is the missing word?
4. What is the name of the former Conservative Party chairwoman, Britain's first Muslim cabinet minister, who resigned from the party in the House of Lords, because it had moved to the 'far right’?
5. Who met Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the first time at a two-hour dinner and described him as ‘very nice’ and 'very popular’?
6. Allies including the US, UK and EU proposed an immediate ceasefire of how many days in Lebanon 'to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement’?
7. Britain announced it was moving 700 troops to where to be ready for an emergency evacuation of UK citizens from Lebanon?
8. From Tuesday it became illegal in the UK to own machetes and what kind of knives?
9. It was revealed that how many women went to the Metropolitan Police to accuse Mohammed Al Fayed of sex attacks between 2005 and 2023, while he was still alive?
10. Who was appointed editor of the Spectator magazine?
11. Police in Switzerland made arrests after a woman ended her life using what?
12. Where were people greeted with a webpage headlined 'We love you, Europe' and carrying information about terror attacks?
13. A British mother-of-five died from a Brazilian Bum Lift after treatment in a clinic in which UK city?
14. Two 12-year-old boys, found guilty of hacking a teenager to death with a machete in a Wolverhampton park, were ordered to be detained in secure accommodation until they were at least how old?
15. What is the name of New York City’s mayor who was charged with criminal offences, including bribery, wire fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations?
16. The world's longest-serving death row prisoner was acquitted after a court in which country ruled he wasn't behind a 1966 multiple murder?
17. Who said he might use his knighthood as an ‘extra sort of stick to beat the authorities over the head’?
18. Florida was hit with a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 140mph. What was it called?
19. Which comedian announced 'I’m now at the end of life care - palliative care - and will be going into a hospice for the foreseeable’?
20. Model Naomi Campbell was banned from being a charity trustee after an investigation uncovered financial misconduct at her poverty relief charity which was called what?
21. Phillip Schofield will be making his TV comeback on a Channel 5 documentary Cast Away filmed on an island off which country?
22. Dame Maggie Smith, who died age 89, was well known for many roles including playing which character in the Harry Potter films?
23. A sinkhole caused by heavy flooding appeared on the pitch of which football club, forcing the postponement of their Carabao Cup third-round tie?
24. Actress Dame Judi Dench has taken on a new role to be the voice of what? 
25. Nick Knowles will take part in this weekend's Strictly Come Dancing despite injuring his arm and shoulder while doing what?

Answers here

Jordana gets published and wins quiz

The Mail trainees enjoyed a busy second week in Kensington. They looked in detail at MailOnline headlines, including a talk by global head of SEO Carly Steven. They wrote personality profiles, news stories and headlines and re-wrote wire copy into Mail style. The headline of the week award went to Ayaat Yassin-Kassab. Editor Emeritus Peter Wright gave guidance on the editor’s code, global head of compliance Paul Hutchinson went through dealing with complaints and they spent an afternoon with the Mail’s lawyers. The trainees pitched news stories to deputy news-editor Elly Blake, Femail stories to Bridie Pearson-Jones and travel stories to Ted Thornhill. They also had sessions with acting showbiz editor Rebecca Davison, global affairs reporter Chris Pleasance, managing editor Robyn Kelly and training manager Sue Ryan. Last year’s trainees talked about their experiences and took questions. Jordana Seal was the first trainee on the course to be published with a harrowing story about a woman, who was a victim of a paedophile father, explaining why she was furious that Huw Edwards escaped jail. Read it here. 

We finished the week as usual with the newsquiz, 25 questions about the week. The top scorer this week was Jordana with 15, narrowly ahead of Sophie Carlin on 14.5 and Ayaat on 14. The top solo scorer in last week's quiz was Robert Rea with 21, just ahead of George Mann on 20.5, Judith M on 20, the Rev Leon, Janet Boyle and Marion Fountayne on 19, Peter G on 17, James Carey on 16 and Adam Pogrund on 15.5. The top team was the Parsons household plus Mary Kane who scored 19.5, ahead of Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe 18 and Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 15.

1. The BBC reported that Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Sue Gray received a pay rise after the election which means she is now paid more than the Prime Minister. How much does she earn in a year?
2. Downing Street said Parliament's standards watchdog will not investigate whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer broke rules by not declaring what?
3. Junior doctors in England accepted a Government’s offer of a pay rise over two years of what per cent, ending their long-running dispute?
4. Hezbollah blamed Israel after which two types of devices exploded and killed at least 30 people and injured thousands in Lebanon? Half point for each device.
5. Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards was given a six-month suspended sentence and put on the sex offenders’ register for how many years for accessing sex abuse images of children?
6. The chief magistrate in the sentencing of Huw Edwards told the former BBC presenter: 'You were perhaps the most recognised news reader/journalist in the UK. It is not an exaggeration to say your long-earned reputation is __ __.’ What are the two missing words?
7. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 8 to 1 to hold interest rates at what per cent?
8. Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Rome to discuss a ‘pragmatic’ approach to tackling migrant boats crossing the English Channel with his Italian counterpart. What is her name?
9. At least five women claimed to have been raped by billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed when they were working for which company?
10. Why was 58-year-old Ryan Routh in the headlines?
11. Who was denied bail while awaiting trial in a sex-trafficking case after prosecutors argued he was a 'serious flight risk’?
12. Traffic is to be banned from where under plans announced by London mayor Sadiq Khan?
13. The Liberal Democrats conference was held this week in which city?
14. Which brand, that became famous in the 1950s and 60s when parties were held in people’s houses, filed for bankruptcy and said it was looking for new owners?
15. The UK operator of which restaurant chain went into administration, putting 4,500 jobs at risk?
16. Jay Blades, presenter of which BBC television show, appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court charged with controlling or coercive behaviour?
17. What is the name of the rock band which cancelled the remaining 14 dates of their tour after the frontman punched the guitarist on stage?
18. Why did Heart Radio presenter Jamie Theakston say a big thank you to his listeners?
19. Who celebrated a milestone birthday at the weekend, saying 'I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40’?
20. Aston Villa returned to European football’s top club competition after an absence of how many years with a victory over Swiss champions Young Boys?
21. What was the first name of the original member of The Jackson 5 and brother of Michael Jackson, who died aged 70?
22. Which television show brought an end to RuPaul's Drag Race eight-year winning streak by collecting the Outstanding Reality Competition Program Award at the Emmys?
23. Radio 2 host Scott Mills and his husband Sam Vaughan were crowned the winning team in what?
24. Dorset Museum in Dorchester hosted a special private viewing to 65 of what type of people, who mooched around the gallery, champagne in hand?
25. A capybara called what escaped from Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Telford?

Answers here

James wins the newsquiz

I spent this week with 12 Mail trainees in Kensington. They had sessions with MailOnline publisher Danny Groom, editorial director Ben Bailey, Australian editor Felicity Hetherington, deputy news-editor Elly Blake, Femail editor Bridie Pearson-Jones, travel editor Ted Thornhill and Mary Omogbehin and Kyle Morgan from the managing editor’s office. The trainees analysed the news in detail, went through the stylebook and wrote intros and stories in style. The intro of the week was written by Ayaat Yassin-Kassab who won a scratch card. We finished the week, as always, with the newsquiz. The top scorer was James Carey with 17, ahead of Adam Pogrund on 15.5. The top online scorer in last week’s quiz was Janet Boyle with 20.5, ahead of Marion Fountayne on 19, George Mann on 18.5 and the Rev Leon on 17.5. The top teams were Our Peter and Jackie, Adam Batstone and the Tenby golfers and Maura Parsons with Alexandra and Libby who all scored 18, ahead of Waterworks drinkers Peter and Stacey on 16. Here is this week’s quiz. Give it a go and see if you can beat James's score.

Yesterday's front pages

1. The Government won the vote on the plan to restrict winter payments to pensioners with a majority of 128 - but how many Labour MPs did not vote?
2. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, emphasising that plans to rebuild the NHS did not just mean more money, said: 'We have to fix the __ before we turn on the __.’ What are the two missing words? Half a point for each.
3. To the nearest 100, how many prisoners were set free on Tuesday as part of the Government’s early release programme?
4. Who was eliminated from the Tory leadership contest after receiving only 16 votes from colleagues?
5. As Keir Starmer met President Joe Biden in Washington, Vladimir Putin warned that what would put NATO 'at war' with Russia?
6. Russia revoked the accreditation of how many British diplomats who it accused of spying?
7. What is the name of the company founded by entrepreneur Charlie Mullins who put his £12million London penthouse on the market as he prepared to flee Britain for Spain ahead of a Labour tax raid?
8. Which former Republican US Vice-President said he would vote for Democrat Kamala Harris in the election, saying Donald Trump could ’never be trusted with power again’?
9. In the televised US presidential debate Donald Trump was stopped by the moderator after making a claim that Haitian immigrants were doing what?
10. Singer Taylor Swift endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris on Instagram and used what three words to sign off her message?
11. The bearskin caps worn by soldiers outside Buckingham Palace now cost how much each, according to figures revealed in response to a Freedom of Information request from Peta?
12. The video showing the Princess of Wales and her recovery from cancer was filmed in which English county?
13. What is the name of the piece of art worth £270,000, that was stolen from a London gallery by hooded thieves?
14. Sir Paul Marshall, a major investor in GB News, bought which magazine for £100million?
15. Why was American Jared Isaacman, 41, in the headlines?
16. Actor James Earl Jones, who died aged 93, was best known as the voice of which movie villain?
17. What was the name of the footballer who died age 86 who captained Liverpool 417 times in the 60s and 70s?
18. A bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with two corgis was unveiled to a mixed reception in which town ?
19. Rock musician Jon Bon Jovi helped to talk a distressed woman off the edge of a bridge in which American city?
20. The FA reportedly said it would not factor what into any decision as to whether Lee Carsley will be the next permanent head coach of England’s football team? 
21. England captain Harry Kane celebrated his 100th cap with two goals against Finland taking his tally to how many international goals?
22. Which programme won three trophies at the National Television Awards on Wednesday night?
23. Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl announced what in an Instagram post on Tuesday?
24. Team GB finished in what position in the Paralympics medal table?

Bonus: And for a bonus point, how many golds did they win?
25. King Charles couldn't contain his laughter as he was stormed by 'very healing' hugs from who at Buckingham Palace?

Answers here

Have a crack at the newsquiz

The top solo scorer in last week’s newsquiz was the Rev Leon with 22, just ahead of Janet Boyle on 21, Tony Smith on 20, George Mann on 19 and Judith M on 17. The top teams were Bruce and Sarah Hayward, Maura and Phil Parsons and Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe who all scored 19, just ahead of Our Peter and Jackie on 18. Here is this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week’s news. Give it a go and let me know your score. 

Today's front pages

1. The chairman of the Grenfell Inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, said that the deaths of all the people in the fire were avoidable. How many people died?
2. The chairman of the Grenfell Inquiry read out a list of organisations to blame for the fire saying their responsibility was 'in most cases through incompetence but in some cases through __ and __,’ What are the two missing words? Half a point for each.
3. The Government announced that what would be immediately scrapped from Ofsted inspections of schools in England?
4. Former Cabinet minister Priti Patel was the first to be knocked out of the Conservative leadership contest, receiving how many votes from Tory MPs?

5. Conservative leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch said her party needed to 'stop acting' like what in order win back power?
6. Tory leadership hopeful James Cleverly gave a speech at the Old War office in London, in which he said he would use his contacts and reputation to 'resurrect that incredibly important partnership’ with who?
7. After Oasis fans complained about how tickets for the band's reunion tour were advertised, the Government said it would look into the use of ‘__ pricing’. What is the missing word?
8. Oasis announced they would play concerts next summer at Manchester's Heaton Park, London's Wembley Stadium and in which other three cities? Half point for two, one point for all three.
9. Children and a pregnant woman were among how many people who died after a boat carrying migrants sank off the French coast?
10. Ministers were reported to be considering sending UK prisoners to which country in an attempt to tackle the jail overcrowding crisis?
11. What is the name of the EU's former chief Brexit negotiator who President Emmanuel Macron named as the new French Prime Minister?
12. The Crime Survey for England and Wales reported a massive rise in what crime with 78,000 incidents up to March 2024, more than double the 31,000 in the same period to March 2023?
13. Israel said it had recovered the bodies of how many hostages, found in a tunnel in southern Gaza?
14. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu posted a thread on social media describing the British Government’s decision to do what as ’shameful’?
15. An unmarked mass grave containing the remains of 145 stillborn infants, 128 young children and 29 adults was discovered in a cemetery in which English town?
16. Which country’s anti-immigration party, AfD, celebrated a 'historic success’, giving the Far Right its first win in a state parliament election since World War Two?
17. A 14-year-old boy appeared in court charged with murder after an 80-year-old dog walker was allegedly kicked to death in Franklin Park, near which English city?
18. Dominique Pélicot, 71, and 50 other men are on trial in the French city of Avignon charged with what?
19. How old is the suspect who was arrested after two teachers and two pupils were shot dead and nine other people were injured at a high school in Georgia?
20. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner was filmed dancing with DJ Fisher and which actress and presenter at a club in Ibiza?
21. Who was given a community order and £1,000 fine by Uxbridge magistrates for drunken and disorderly behaviour on a BA plane and threatening to knock a policeman’s teeth out?
22. Explorer and presenter Dwayne Fields, the first black Briton to reach the North Pole, succeeded Bear Grylls in what role?
23. Which guitarist posted on his website that he recently suffered a minor stroke, which left him unable to use his left arm?
24. According to 'a leaked PR proposal’ singer Taylor Swift and footballer Travis Kelce were planning to end their relationship on what date this month?
25. Which British athlete claimed her 19th Paralympic gold medal when she won the women’s cycling road race?

Answers here 

Time to tackle the newsquiz ...

The top solo scorer in last week's newsquiz was George Mann on 23, ahead of the Rev Leon and Janet Boyle on 21, Judith M on 20 and Sami Quadri on 15. The top team was Maura and Phil Parsons with 21, just ahead of ahead of Bruce and Sarah Hayward on 20. Adam Batstone and Lucy Thorpe scored 17 and Our Peter and Jackie 15. Here is this week’s quiz. As usual there are 25 questions about the week. Give it a go and let me know your score.

Today's front pages

1. In a speech at Downing Street’s rose garden, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 'There is a Budget coming and it's going to be __’ What is the missing word?
2. What did Prime Minister Keir Starmer have removed from 10 Downing Street because he found it ‘unsettling’?
3. During visits to which two cities did Prime Minister Keir Starmer discuss a ‘reset' with the EU? Half a point for each.
4. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he would never go where again if a Labour proposal comes to pass?
5. Who issued a statement that said: 'The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.’?
6. Who issued a statement saying it had completed the 'first phase’ after launching 320 rockets and hitting 11 Israeli military sites?
7. The World Health Organisation said Israel had agreed to 'humanitarian pauses' in Gaza to allow for what?
8. Billionaire Pavel Durov was arrested by French police and accused of failing to take steps to curb criminal uses on his social media platform, which is called what?
9. Three people were killed and eight injured during an attack in which German city, during a festival to celebrate its 650-year history?
10. Police were investigating after a hooded figure was seen spraying what two words in white paint on the wall of a Birmingham primary school?
11. Who gave a final farewell message which said 'don't be sorry, smile’?
12. Almost four million people were urged to evacuate as Typhoon Shanshan hit the south of which country?
13. Prince Harry flew to the UK from LA to attend the funeral of his uncle, Lord Fellowes, in which county?
14. Eleven-time Paralympic gold medallist Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson was forced to crawl off a train arriving at which station as there was no assistance available?
15. Who called for airline passengers to be restricted to two alcoholic drinks, saying: 'We don't allow people to drink-drive, yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000ft’?
16. More than 3,500 workers at which retailer won a legal battle when an employment tribunal ruled that store staff should not have been paid at lower rates than those working in warehouses?
17. Arrests at what festival hit a five-year high with 349 people detained?
18. Chef Agnieszka Uliasz and her fiance Lukasz Kurek feared their wedding in Poland would not go-ahead after what happened?
19. Singer Mariah Carey said that which of her two relatives had died on the same day?
20. X, formerly known as Twitter, said it expected to be blocked in which country after failing to meet a deadline to name a legal representative?
21. Abba joined Céline Dion, Beyoncé, Foo Fighters, Johnny Marr, Adele, Aerosmith and Guns N’ Roses in doing what?
22. How did Manette Baillie from Suffolk celebrate her 102nd birthday?
23. How did former Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews break a Guinness World Record and raise more than £350,000 for charity?
24. Lee Carsley named his first squad, since being named England interim manager, for the UEFA Nations League game against which country next Saturday?
25. It was announced that which city will host the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest?

Answers here